MEET OUR PEOPLE
Robert Lauchland
Robert Lauchland Vineyards / Owner
HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY BEEN FARMING WINEGRAPES?
My family has been farming for five generations (counting my son, Greg) or 102 years.
HOW DID YOU GET IN TO FARMING AND WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO DO IT?
I was drawn back to farming after working as a city planner and assistant city manager because of the opportunity it provided me to carry on the family grape growing legacy. Today, I work the same property that my great-grandfather worked. Farming is a challenge; frustrating when it doesn’t go the way you planned but rewarding when all goes well. Farming satisfies my independent nature and, every day, presents a new opportunity.
YOU’RE ALSO A WINEMAKER; HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN MAKING WINE?
I’ve been making wine for 10 years.
ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE JUST STARTING OUT AS A WINEMAKER?
Find a good grower.
WHAT IS YOUR FIRST MEMORY OF WINE?
Our family responsibly enjoyed wine as far back as I can remember. As a teen, my grandfather shared Tokay wines with me – wines that he had made by jacking up his camper and lowering it onto wood blocks to press the skins. It was not great.
WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU’D LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT LODI?
We are very collaborative. As an industry, we play well together and support each other.
WHAT ITEMS ARE CURRENTLY IN THE CENTER CONSOLE OR GLOVEBOX OF YOUR TRUCK OR CAR?
iPods, sunglasses, reading glasses, a Starbucks cup, a nice black ink pen, and paper.
WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I can still helicopter (crossed skis) off of a small mogul when snow skiing.
Pictured: Robert Lauchland (left) and son, Greg Lauchland (right)
